NAHB makes leadership moves
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)has named James W. Tobin III as the association’s new president and CEO.
Tobin, who currently serves as executive vice president and chief lobbyist at NAHB, will succeed CEO Jerry Howard.
Howard is leaving the NAHB after more than 30 years of service. The move is effective June 1.
Additionally, the NAHB has named Lake Coulson as its new senior vice president for government affairs and chief lobbyist, taking over for Tobin.
“Jim brings more than 20 years of experience in the housing industry to the post,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Alabama. “His proven track record of success in leading NAHB’s federal legislative advocacy makes him uniquely qualified to lead our association in the years ahead.”
Tobin joined NAHB in 1998. In his role as EVP, government affairs and chief lobbyist he directed the federal, state and local lobbying, as well as political activities for NAHB.
He also guided the activities of the association’s political action committee, BUILD-PAC, and grassroots network. Before becoming NAHB’s chief lobbyist, Tobin was NAHB’s vice president for federal relations. Prior to NAHB, he was senior legislative assistant to former U.S. Representative Frank Riggs (Calif.) and former U.S. Representative Gary Franks (Conn.).
“I’m honored to have been selected as CEO of this outstanding organization,” said Tobin. “The work that our members do is incredibly important and has a huge impact in every community across this country. I look forward to representing our staff and members in advocating for the future of the housing industry.”
Tobin will be based at NAHB’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he will lead NAHB’s more than 200 staff. The CEO is also part of NAHB’s national leadership team which also includes the Senior Officers of the Board, who are elected annually by the Leadership Council.
The NAHB said Coulson is a dedicated government affairs professional with more than 20 years of policy and management experience. He will serve as the association’s lead lobbyist and oversee its federal, state and local lobbying, as well as guiding the activities of NAHB’s political action committee, BUILD-PAC, and its grassroots network.
“Having worked closely with Lake for more than the past decade, I know he is the right person to lead NAHB’s government affairs team forward as our industry faces a number of challenging issues,” Tobin said. “I am certain he will do an outstanding job in promoting and advancing NAHB’s political, legislative and strategic objectives."
For the past 11 years, Coulson has represented the NAHB on Capitol Hill in a senior management position as vice president of government affairs. Before joining NAHB in 2012, he was the executive director of government affairs for the National Electrical Contractors Association.
“Lake’s extensive housing policy background, which includes tax, energy, environmental and appropriations issues, along with his proven leadership and management skills working previously as NAHB’s vice president of government affairs, makes him the perfect candidate to lead one of the premier lobbying shops in Washington,” Huey said.
